Press January 2012

Thomas Kelati — BC KhimkiHello everyone! My name is Thomas Kelati and I play for BC Khimki. Welcome to my blog! So far I have had a good relationship with the competition. My first Eurocup experience was with PGE Turow of Poland. It was also the first time that the club played the Eurocup and we made it to the Final Eight. We had a great team and it was really exciting to play the competition for the first time — and to do so well. Then I played it again with Valencia Basket and we managed to go all the way! It was definitely the biggest success I have had in my basketball career. Winning the Eurocup and the entire journey to get there was such a great experience! I arrived to a team that was already doing well and with such a good bunch of guys... I think I enjoyed that season most just because of my teammates. It was very enjoyable for me both on and off the court.

BC Khimki bolstered its lineup in both size and experience by signing former Eurocup champ Marijonas Petravicius. Petravicius (2.07 meters, 32 years old) was named 2009 Eurocup Finals MVP after leading Lietuvos Rytas to the title.

Euroleague Basketball and the Spanish basketball league (ACB) announce that they will be working together to develop and share a software program that manages event invitations and accreditations. This agreement will allow for both leagues to be able to maximize resources and knowhow in event management and execution so as to improve the overall event experience for fans, media, athletes and guests.

Buducnost Voli signed shouting guard Matt Bouldin for the remainder of the season. Bouldin (1.96 meters, 23 years old) is an elite shooter who was a star during his college basketball days at Gonzaga University.

Hello, Eurocup fans, Happy New Year! This is Ivan Radenovic of BC Donetsk, getting back to you days before the start of a new phase — the Last 16! Our team has been busy during the Eurocup holiday break — actually, we didn't have any break at all. The first part of the Eurocup season was tough for us because we travelled to a lot of distant destinations in Europe. Every time, we had to get back to Ukraine and play the Ukrainian League right away. Our schedule has been pretty tight even these days. We’re still focusing on the Ukrainian League but can’t help being a bit anxious looking ahead because we can't wait to start the Last 16.

Khimki Moscow officially announced the signing of Mickael Gelabale till the end of the season. The French forward was signed by Khimki a few weeks ago but he did not pass the physical and his contract was voided.

Hello, Euroleague fans! I want to wish you all – and specifically the fans of Unics – a happy new year. But allow me to start with a couple words about our season so far. After a tough start, we managed to finish the regular season with five victories in six games and qualify for the Top 16.

Three traditional teams in continental competitions and one of the fastest-growing teams in recent years meet in Group J, in what promises to be a tough battle to make it to the playoffs. No team will be more motivated than still-undefeated BC Khimki, as the Eurocup Finals take place in its own arena and lost the Eurocup title game in 2009. It leads the competition in assists (20 apg.) and has a nice mix of youth and experience — coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, Matt Nielsen and Thomas Kelati won the Eurocup in the past. Asvel Basket gets to the Last 16 with a core of young, ambitious, talented players ready to keep showcasing their skills all around the continent. It was the last team to reach the Last 16 — and wants to keep surviving. Aris BSA 2003 is playing a very attractive, athletic basketball that is making its fans go crazy. It needed an overtime win to qualify, but Aris won't be an easy opponent to anyone. Donetsk is the sleeper in this group, as it has well-rounded, veteran players ready to challenge anyone, anywhere. Donetsk is a very balanced team that has not lost a Eurocup games since late November, so expect the Ukrainian powerhouse to be a tough opponent.